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Yala

Wildlife at its best

Flora

Yala National Park homes an assortment of ecosystems from moist monsoon forests, dry monsoon forests, semi deciduous forest, thorn forests, grasslands, fresh water and marine wetlands to sandy beaches. The area under forest cover mainly consists “Block 1, 2” and rangelands of open parkland (Pelessa grasslands) including some extensive grasslands. In the “Blocks 3, 4, and 5” forests are more widespread. The canopy of the forest mainly contains Drypetes sepiaria and Manilkara hexandra plant species.

Fauna

While elephants are one of the primary attractions in Yala, what is more appealing here is the overall mood of the undisturbed jungle with the large herds of spotted Deer. For those who are sharp-eyed to observe, many of the endemic Muntjac or Barking Deer are also present here. Monkeys, the pinkish Rhesus and the grey-faced Langur Monkey, live and play on the tree tops and the ground below. Wild Buffalo and Wild Boar could give you a good surprise and a great picture, while sight of a leopard sunning itself or drinking at a water hole could be a memorable experience.

As dusk gathers, there is every chance of seeing the Ceylon Sloth Bear scampering with its young on its back. You are also bound to wait for the Python at Yala to cross the road stopping your safari at still point and the water holes will surprise you with its inhabitants of a whole colony of Crocs, some of the biggest in the Country. The Peacock is easily the most famous and common of the birds at Yala.

There is also a substantial elephant population along with spotted deer, sambar, wild buffalo, sloth bear, jackal, mongoose, pangolins and crocodiles. The bird life comprises over 120 species, and ranges from lesser flamingos to Paradise Flycatchers, Crested Hawk Eagles, and Black Bitterns. And the coastline forms a major nesting ground for marine turtles.